JP2005123866A - Image processor and its user interface providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an appropriate user interface depending on the operation record of a user without complicating an arrangement or increasing a burden on the user. <P>SOLUTION: The image processor comprises a means for reading out a document, a means for printing the image of the document thus read out, and an operating means of the user including a display panel wherein a user's operational record of the operating means is stored and the display on the display panel of the operating means is altered based on the operational record thus stored. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a user interface providing method for the image processing apparatus, and more particularly to a user interface in a multifunctional image processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral.

  In recent years, various functions such as copiers and printers used in offices have been integrated into one unit, and a printer controller having an image processing function has been incorporated inside the copier, so that the copier and printer can be integrated into one unit. An image processing apparatus called a digital multi-function peripheral having both functions is put on the market. Such multi-function machines have been further multi-functionalized by further adding facsimile functions and the like.

  In many digital multi-function peripherals, a touch panel using a large liquid crystal is used as a user interface. However, as the functions of digital multi-function peripherals increase and operations become complicated, it is becoming difficult to provide a user interface that is easy to operate.

For example, as the number of functions increases, the menu hierarchy increases, and it takes time and effort to search for a desired function.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-038686

  In order to solve such a problem, a device has been devised in which a button of a function that is assumed to be frequently used is displayed in a large size or placed at a position easy to see. It is also conceivable that the user can change the user interface in order to facilitate the selection of frequently used functions.

  However, digital multifunction devices are not usually owned by individuals, but are often installed in offices and used by multiple users. The user interface must be changed to suit all users. It is difficult. It is conceivable to provide a different user interface for each individual user. In this case, for example, some authentication procedure such as inputting a user ID is required to identify the user. In addition, the burden on the user increases.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide an appropriate user interface according to a user's operation history without complicating the configuration and increasing the burden on the user.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a reading unit that reads a document,
Printing means for printing an image of a document read by the reading means;
An operation means including a display panel for a user to operate;
Operation history storage means for storing a history of operations performed by the user on the operation means;
Display change means for changing the display on the display panel of the operation means based on the operation history stored in the operation history storage means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a user interface providing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints an image of a document read by the reading unit; and a display panel; A user interface providing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising:
An operation history storage step of storing a history of operations performed by the user on the operation means;
A display change step of changing the display on the display panel of the operation means based on the operation history stored in the operation history storage step.

  That is, in the present invention, in an image processing apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints an image of a document read by the reading unit; and an operation unit that includes a display panel and is operated by a user. A history of operations performed by the user on the operation means is stored, and the display on the display panel of the operation means is changed based on the stored operation history.

  In this way, since the user interface is appropriately changed based on the user's operation history, it is possible to easily select a function that is likely to be used by the user without requiring a special operation such as an authentication procedure. Therefore, the operability of the user interface of the image processing apparatus can be improved.

  The operation history storage means may store the number of times each function is selected next for each function.

  It is preferable that the display panel is a touch panel, and the display change means changes the display of the display panel so that an operation button having a function that is likely to be selected next is conspicuous.

  In this case, the color of the operation button may be changed, the size of the operation button may be changed, or the operation button may be displayed with a predetermined mark.

  The display changing means may display a plurality of functions that are highly likely to be selected in one button.

  The above object is also achieved by a computer program that causes a computer to execute the user interface providing method for the image processing apparatus, and a computer readable storage medium that stores the computer program.

  According to the present invention, since the user interface is appropriately changed based on the user operation history, it is possible to easily select a function that is likely to be used by the user without requiring a special operation such as an authentication procedure. Thus, the operability of the user interface of the image processing apparatus can be improved.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the constituent elements described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them.

<First Embodiment>
As a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a digital multi-function peripheral having functions of copying (copying) and printer (printing) will be described as an example.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. As illustrated, the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 301, a print output unit 302, a communication detection unit 303, a display control unit 304, a display unit 305, a communication unit 306, a storage control unit 307, and a storage unit 308. An input unit 309 and a document reading unit 310, which are connected to each other via a system bus 311.

  The control unit 301 includes a CPU 3011 that controls the entire apparatus, a ROM 3012 that stores CPU control programs and fixed data, and a RAM 3013 that is used as a work area for the CPU, and monitors and controls each unit.

  The display unit 305 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel, and is controlled by the display control unit 304. The communication unit 306 communicates with the information processing apparatus 101 via the LAN 104 according to a predetermined protocol.

  The storage unit 308 has a document data storage area 3082 that stores document data read by the document reading unit 310, and an operation history information storage area 3081 that stores operation history information when printing and outputting the document data. The stored data is controlled by the storage control unit 307.

  The input unit 309 has input means for inputting instructions and commands such as a touch panel provided integrally with the display unit 305 and operation switches such as a power switch, and is operated by a user.

  The print output unit 302 prints out the document data read by the document reading unit 310 according to the instruction input by the input unit 309. The communication detection unit 303 detects whether or not communication with an external computer (information processing apparatus) via the LAN 104 is possible.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an operation panel 100 that operates as the input unit 309 and the display unit 305 of FIG. 15 and is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus. The operation panel 100 detects that the user has touched with a finger and functions as an input unit. The touch panel 101 switches a screen to be displayed according to a user operation, a power switch, a copy start switch, a reset switch, a numeric keypad, and the like. And a fixed switch unit 102 including the buttons.

  Hereinafter, a case where copying is performed by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment will be described. When the “Copy” screen is displayed on the touch panel 101 of the operation panel 100 shown in FIG. 1, when the “Application Mode” button is pressed, the screen of FIG. 3 is displayed. There are two screens in the application mode. FIG. 3A shows the first screen and FIG. 3B shows the second screen. In the following description, the button for shifting to the “applied mode” is also expressed as “start”.

  The screen shown in FIG. 3 is a function that can be selected when performing a copy operation. Various functions such as “page continuous shooting”, “binding margin”, and “blank erase” are prepared. It consists of multiple screens. In the following description, in order to simplify the description, the functions are displayed as “Margin”, “Move”, “Reduced layout”, “Blank”, “Job end notification” displayed on the screen of FIG. ”And“ magnification ”displayed on the screen of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the screen displayed after pressing “Start (Application Mode)” is as shown in FIG.

  Note that the limitation of this function is merely a limitation on the description in the present embodiment, and the function that can be implemented with respect to the present invention is not particularly limited.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an initial state of the transition table stored in the operation history information storage area 3081 as user operation history information in the present embodiment. This transition table stores the functions selected by the user and their order.

  In this example, a transition table in table format is used as an example of operation history information. However, if the frequency of the function selected by the user and the relationship before and after it can be partially understood, the operation history information format is used. May be in other formats.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the order of user operations by numbers assigned to functions (buttons). Numbers (1) to (6) are assigned to “Start”, “Margin”, “Move”, “Zoom”, “Reduction layout”, “Blank erase”, and “Job end notification”, respectively. , (A) to (g) indicate that a function is selected (a button is pressed) and a copy operation is executed in each order.

  Here, the transition table shown in FIG. 4 when the user performs operations in the order shown in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when a copy operation is performed after selecting a function in the order of start (1), magnification (4), and erase (6), the operation history information is the above. Function number history (1) → (4) → (6) is sent (step T01).

  Next, in the operation history of the user, the function selected first and the function selected next are received as inputs (step T02). In the case of the operation history (a), (1) is selected as the first selected function, and (4) is selected as the next selected function. In this case, since the next function selection exists, it is determined that it is not the last function selection (step T03), and the “start” (1) of the previous function selection and the “magnification” (4) of the next function selection are determined. The number of intersecting cells is increased by one (step T04).

  Then, the process returns to step T02 again, and (4) is received as the previous function selection and (6) is received as the next function selection as input. Also in this case, since there is the next function selection, it is determined that it is not the last function selection (step T03), and the number of squares where “magnification” (4) and “blank” (6) intersect is increased by one (step T04). ).

  Further, returning to step T02, the previous selection function and the next selection function are checked. However, since there is no function selected next, it is determined that this is the last function selection (step T03), and the process is terminated.

  When the above operation is performed on all the operation histories of FIGS. 11A to 11G, the transition table is as shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 2, an internal processing flow when copying is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an initial screen (screen of FIG. 1) is displayed on the touch panel unit 101 as a user interface (step S01).

  Next, it waits for a copy button (a button represented by “Start” in the fixed switch section 102 in FIG. 1) or any function selection button to be pressed (step S02).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the pressed button is a copy button (step S03). If it is a function selection button, it is selected next as a function highly relevant to the selected function. A function having a high possibility, that is, a function having a large number is selected in the row of the function currently selected in the transition table (step S07). For example, when the transition table is in the state as shown in FIG. 9, if “reduced layout” is selected, the “reduced layout” row is extracted from the “previous function selection” column, and the row is extracted from the row. “Move” with the largest number is selected.

  Is it possible to use the selected function because it is assumed that the selected function cannot be selected due to a problem caused by the device or because it has already been selected, or that there is no point in selecting it? Whether or not the current function cannot be used is subtracted (step S09), the function that cannot be used is subtracted (step S09), and a highly relevant function is searched instead (step S07).

  In this way, the processing from step S07 to step S09 is repeated to select two functions that are highly relevant and usable. Then, in order to make the selected highly relevant function stand out, image data of a screen to be displayed on the touch panel is created (step S10).

  The selected function is saved as a history (step S11), and a new screen as a user interface is displayed again on the touch panel 101 using the image created in step S10 (step S01). The above processing is repeated until the copy button is pressed.

  If it is determined in step S03 that the copy button has been pressed, copy is executed (step S04), and when the copy is performed, the user's operation regarding function selection is completed, so this history is used. A transition table is created (step S05). Then, image data of a screen to be displayed as a new user interface is created based on the created transition table (step S06).

  Next, a new screen created as a user interface will be described. For example, when FIG. 9 is used as the transition table, when executing a new copy, “move” and “magnification” are used twice from the “start” line in the previous function selection of the transition table, Since these functions are more likely to be used than other functions, these two functions are displayed prominently.

  6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating examples of screens newly created as a user interface. FIG. 6 shows a button that is likely to be selected by changing the color, FIG. 7 shows a large button that is likely to be selected, and FIG. 8 shows an arrow mark indicating the button that is likely to be selected. It is displayed together with it to make it stand out.

  Further, for example, in the state where any of the screens of FIGS. 6 to 8 is displayed, when “Margin” is selected, the previous function selection is “Margin” in the transition table of FIG. , “Waku erase” is selected twice, and it can be seen that more “Baku erase” is selected than the other functions. Therefore, as shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the buttons of the two functions are displayed so as to be conspicuous. However, this number may be appropriately changed according to the number of functions, the size of the display area, and the like.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by changing the screen (user interface) to be displayed based on the user's operation history, it is possible to easily select a function that is likely to be selected by the user, and to improve operability. An excellent user interface of an image processing apparatus can be provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a user interface that matches the user's operation history without causing the user to perform special processing such as authentication.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is also a digital multi-function peripheral similar to the first embodiment. In the following description, the description of the same parts as the first embodiment is omitted, and the characteristic of the second embodiment is described. The explanation will focus on the part.

  In the first embodiment, the function that is likely to be used in the next function from the selected function is analogized based on the past operation history and displayed prominently. In the present embodiment, when a certain function is selected, not only the function that is most likely to be performed next is extracted from the past history, but also the function that is most likely to be performed next is extracted. Buttons that enable one function to be realized by a single operation are displayed, thereby reducing user operations.

  Hereinafter, an internal processing flow when copying is performed by the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 12, processes similar to those described with reference to FIG. 2 in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on processing different from that of the first embodiment.

  As in the first embodiment, it is checked whether or not the selected function is usable (step S08), and if it is usable, a highly relevant function is selected for each of the two selected functions. Selection is made with reference to the transition table (step S081). Then, an image of a button that executes both functions is created so that the two functions selected in steps S07 and S081 can be executed by one button (step S101).

  For example, when processing according to the above flowchart is performed using the transition diagram as shown in FIG. 9, “Move” and “Magnification” are selected as highly relevant functions when copying for the first time. Is done. Further, when a highly relevant function is examined with respect to these two functions, “margin” is displayed in the case of “move”, and “blank” is displayed in the case of “magnification”. Then, an image of a “move + margin” button and a “magnification + frame” button that simultaneously execute these two functions is created.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the touch panel 101 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, buttons that realize two newly created functions are displayed in a different area from the buttons that are normally displayed.

  In the present embodiment, a button that can execute the next function and the next function at the same time is displayed. However, up to three functions or more functions may be executed at the same time. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, since a button for executing a plurality of functions in one operation is created and displayed according to the user's operation history, the user can perform a plurality of functions as in the past. The user's operation can be reduced without performing registration processing such as assigning to one button.

(Other embodiments)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or may be applied to an apparatus constituted by one device.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where copying is performed by a digital multifunction peripheral has been described as an example. However, if the image processing apparatus has a plurality of functions, other apparatuses and other functions are implemented. The present invention can also be applied to.

  In the present invention, a software program that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is directly or remotely supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus reads and executes the supplied program code. Including the case where it is also achieved by. In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, the form does not need to be a program.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the claims of the present invention include the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on the instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the operation panel of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of internal processing when copying is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a touchscreen in application mode. It is a figure which shows the initial state of the transition table memorize | stored as log | history information of a user's operation. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen displayed on a screen touch panel, after pushing a start (application mode). It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the screen newly produced in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the screen newly produced in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the screen newly produced in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state of the transition table at the time of performing operation shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen newly produced in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of operation which the user performed. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an internal processing flow when copying is performed by the digital multi-function peripheral according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining a transition table being created from a user's operation. It is a figure which shows the example of another screen newly produced in 1st Embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Claims (10)

Reading means for reading an original;
Printing means for printing an image of a document read by the reading means;
An operation means including a display panel for a user to operate;
Operation history storage means for storing a history of operations performed by the user on the operation means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a display changing unit that changes a display on a display panel of the operation unit based on an operation history stored in the operation history storage unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation history storage unit stores the number of times each function is selected next for each function.   3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein the display panel is a touch panel, and the display changing unit changes the display of the display panel so that an operation button having a function that is likely to be selected next is conspicuous. The image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display change unit changes a color of the operation button.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display changing unit changes a size of the operation button.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display changing unit displays the operation button with a predetermined mark.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the display changing unit displays a plurality of functions that are highly likely to be selected in one button. A method for providing a user interface of an image processing apparatus, comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints an image of a document read by the reading unit; and an operation unit that includes a display panel and is operated by a user. And
An operation history storage step of storing a history of operations performed by the user on the operation means;
A display change step of changing a display on the display panel of the operation means based on the operation history stored in the operation history storage step.   A computer program for causing a computer to execute the user interface providing method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 8.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program according to claim 9.

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